Good Conditions for Royal London 360 Youth Cycling League

Conditions at the National Sports Centre last Tuesday night were near perfect for the 384 young cyclists who competed in round five of Team Royal London 360 Isle of Man's youth league.

The girls led the way again in the novices race, with Caitlyn Hampson taking the honours for the fourth week in succession. Tiana Kelly was a good second ahead of Chloe Hampson and Emma Nippress outsprinted leading boy Ryan Batty for fourth. William Lomas was a lonely sixth and Molly Hinds stayed clear of the chasing pack to grab seventh. Lili Stewart, Harrison Skillan and Leon Murphy rounded off the top ten leader board.

In the born 2008 & later category winner Myles Le Geyt had to fight hard to hold off a determined challenge from T.J.Teare. Top girl Fearne Bregazzi outgunned Lennon Moore, George Kinnish and Ollie Eyres in the dash for third, with Edward Field just behind in seventh spot. Summer Peters beat Alec Sorby to the line for eighth and Ethan Skillicorn pipped Colby Newbold in the tussle for tenth. Freddie Griffin won the bunch sprint for twelfth.

Cian Howard left nothing to chance in the born 2007 age group, attacking from the gun for a clear victory over chasers Orry Lund and Archie Dunn. Crosby's Sam Cowin was a safe fourth and the fast finishing Florence Griffin overtook Jemma Quayle on the finish straight to claim the girls' prize in fifth position. Ellana Skillan and Ben Davies came in separately for seventh and eighth, while Rio Kelly edged out Zack Bellhouse and George Kearns in the rush for ninth.

Cian Jackson held off Ivan Sorby to bag maximum points in the born 2006 class. Zachary Dowson, who lost contact with the two frontrunners in the closing stages, was third and Harry Corkish surged ahead of Corey Peters to secure fourth. Sophie Smith, Rebecca Cooil and Ruby McCubbin were the top three girls in 14th, 19th and 21st places respectively.

A last lap injection of speed allowed recently crowned North West champion Niall Colquitt to retain his unbeaten record in the born 2005 event. Oliver Sykes was second and Harry Kneen came from behind to snatch third from Oliver Corkish. Best girl Chloe Dillon overcame Teddy Dunn in the battle for fifth and Tyler Annis led Harry Boyle and Mairi Harrison home for seventh. Ella Griffin completed the top ten.

In one of the closest finishes of the night Zac Walker was too strong for Dillon Dowson in the born 2004 race. Ralf Holden rode away from the chasing bunch to to claim third and Cameron Dudley took the gallop for fourth. Kiera Prentice was the first girl in seventh position

Percy Hampton got the verdict over Jonty Bregazzi in the sprint for the spoils in the born 2003 class. Matthew Black was a good third and Tyler Hannay held off Jack Christian in the fight for fourth. In the following born 2002 & earlier grouping Lucas Mudie outgunned fellow breakaway companions Aaron Lund. Corrin Leeming and Emma Draper to complete a hat-trick of victories. James Harrison and Callum Bratty wrapped up the top six.

A group of twelve riders were in contention towards the end of the under 10 racing bikes four lapper, with Percy Hampton eventually taking the chequered flag ahead of Zac Walker and Jake Wilson. The first of the U/8 riders was Niall Colquitt in eighth place and the best girl was the impressive Kiera Prentice in 14th spot.

In the action packed U/12's race Tosh Teare outsprinted Max Walker, Emily Bridson and Adam Scarffe for the victory. The four riders escaped on the second of six laps and stayed away to the finish. Aaron Lund, James Harrison, Will Corkill and Corrin Leeming chased hard but were unable to bridge the gap and were left to fight among themselves for the minor placings. New girls Jessica Hill and Amelia Sharpe did well to finish 11th and 14th on their debuts in the "droppies" class.

Owen Dudley attacked an eight strong leading group on the final lap of the U/16's event and stayed clear to the finish for a fine maiden win. Series leader Matthew Bostock was the runner-up and Joseph Haddock an excellent third, with Michael Moss taking fourth ahead of Nathan Draper and NW champion Matthew Draper. Elizabeth Holden was the top girl in seventh place and Conor Davies, who had been very aggressive throughout the race, the leading U/14 in eighth position. Eleanor Davies, another of the NW title holders, was the first U/14 girl in 14th slot.